Unawatuna is definitely one of the more popular beach towns located on the Southern Coast and offers visitors a more vibrant glimpse of local life here than other Sri Lankan beach towns with its vibe quite similar to that of some backpacker haunts found in abundance in Cambodia or Thailand. Hipster yet chic cafes that resemble those cafes one would find in Bali are sure to lure passionate foodies with their delicious menus. The nightlife, in particular, is quite exciting along this strip as well.
Among the top activities to indulge in Unawatuna Beach include relaxing and swimming in the aquamarine waters to your heart’s content. It is sure to be a welcome respite from the heat and crazy busy surf which is usually associated with other beaches located along the strip.
The main Unawatuna Beach is among the most famous ones in the country and is equally popular with both locals and tourists alike. The best place for a dip is either in the middle or towards the southern end of the shores, where there are fewer boats and people.
Alternatively, you can rent yourself a sunbed for LKR.500 and relax, order cocktails and pizzas from the many beachside bars that call the shores home. You can then wind down the day with an afternoon stroll up to the pagoda located towards the north end of the beach and enjoy a fiery tropical sunset.
Another fun activity to enjoy while in Unawatuna is learning how to surf, as its cheap, warm and is taught by some friendly instructors. While Unawatuna is not the best place to surf, it’s a great place to get starter lessons for beginners. Lessons usually range from LKR 2500 to 6000 while surfboard hires range from LKR 250 to 500 per hour.
Even if partying is not your thing, spending a night out experiencing the pulsating nightlife on the Unawatuna beach is a definite must-do activity when here. The Kingfisher Unawatuna, in particular, is somewhat famed for their Saturday night beach parties with some great house music and beer deals.
The main street is also filled with many bars that offer some great happy hour specials in the early evenings, and serve as great spots to get the night started!
